Test Advice
My personal thoughts on some frequently asked questions.
SAT vs ACT
There’s no one-size-fits all answer to this question. The tests are, indeed, slightly different. The ACT tends to be more time sensitive (great if you’re a fast worker!) but have slightly easier questions, whereas the SAT has tougher questions but gives you more time to answer them. If you’re great with graphs and charts, the ACT Science section will fit your strengths, while the SAT has 2 math sections if that’s more your thing. From the college’s perspective, they tend not to care which you do, so choose whichever you’re better at, prep hard, and go for it.
Dr. Stephan’s Advice: The best thing you can do is take a diagnostic test for both the SAT and ACT and put your efforts towards whichever you’re better at. If you’d like a free diagnostic SAT and ACT, just click below and let me know.
Test Timeline
Most universities assess your test scores either by (a) taking your best score from any single exam, or (b) “superscoring” and combining your best section scores from separate exams. Either way, it’s to your advantage to take the test multiple times, both because you’ll improve as you go and because there’s essentially no downside.
Dr. Stephan’s Advice: I’d shoot for three times: twice during your junior year, then assess your scores and how they match with your target schools. Then take it once more in the fall of your senior year if you’d still like to improve. If you’d like me to put together a personalized plan for you, just click below and let me know.
Prep Schedule
This will vary from student to student based on their goals, their baseline, and the amount of time they’re able to dedicate to studying and practicing. One of the tough things about the tests is that they’re as much about speed as they are knowledge. You have to have the skills internalized to the point they’re basically instinctual.
Dr. Stephan’s Advice: I’d say start at least 12 weeks before the test to give yourself time to learn the material and rep it enough to internalize the knowledge and strategies. If you’d like a specialized prep plan, just click below and let me know.
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
— Socrates, 5th century BC
Find out more.
Dr. Robert Stephan
rstephan@alumni.stanford.edu
(650) 468-6645